KIC and the Mastercard Foundation train and equip female agripreneurs in beekeeping

As part of its mission to promote inclusive agribusiness development, Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) and the Mastercard Foundation have successfully delivered a hands-on Women’s Bootcamp beekeeping training for women in Kadjebi, Oti Region. The training was part of KIC’sgender empowerment initiatives, which provide alternative livelihoods skills training and resources for entrepreneurship development.

The training was led by Mercy Tuffour, Gender and Safeguarding Specialist at KIC and focused on sustainable honey production, hive management, pollination techniques, and agribusiness development. Participants were equipped not only with practical skills but also with the confidence to view beekeeping as a viable income-generating activity.

To further support their entrepreneurial journey, each participant received a startup kit comprising essential beekeeping equipment including hives, protective clothing, and tools, enabling them to establish and manage their own small-scale honey enterprises.

“As part of this initiative, we train rural women, creating access, agency, and opportunity for income generation and environmental sustainability, ” said Mercy Tuffour. “Our Women’s Bootcamp doesn’t stop at knowledge transfer. We ensure participants have the tools and resources to act immediately after training,” she added.

Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, Executive Director of KIC, underscored the broader goal of the initiative:“Supporting women with both knowledge and tools to start agribusinesses is critical to building resilient food systems. KIC is committed to transformational social impact and under the Initiative for Youth in Agricultural Transformation ( IYAT) which is a partnership between KIC and the Mastercard Foundation to create jobs for young people young people.”

One of the participants, Mariam Akoto, shared her excitement about the program: “I never imagined I could start a beekeeping business. Now I not only know how to manage a hive, but I have the equipment to begin. This is a new chapter for me and my family.”

Through initiatives like the Women’s Bootcamp, KIC continues to foster climate-smart entrepreneurship, improve rural livelihoods, and create meaningful opportunities for women in agriculture across Ghana.